Bengal Orders 12,000 Ineligible Housing Beneficiaries to Refund Aid

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed thousands of ineligible beneficiaries who allegedly received rural housing assistance under the previous administration to return the government money.

Speaking at Nabanna on Friday, Adhikari said around 12,000 ineligible beneficiaries had been identified as having already received funds despite not meeting the eligibility conditions.

Around 1,000 Beneficiaries Have Returned Money

According to the Chief Minister, about 1,000 beneficiaries have already refunded the money, leaving roughly 11,000 cases where recovery remains pending.

Adhikari asked the remaining beneficiaries to return the funds by November 30 to avoid legal complications.

₹60,000 First Instalment Under Housing Scheme

The beneficiaries had allegedly received ₹60,000 each, representing the first instalment of rural housing assistance.

The state’s housing programme provides ₹1.20 lakh to eligible households, generally released in two instalments of ₹60,000.

Recent verification found that some beneficiaries who had received the first instalment did not meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria.

Around 57,000 Allegedly Fake Beneficiaries Identified

Adhikari said the Chief Secretary had informed him that verification had also identified around 57,000 allegedly fake or invalid beneficiaries linked to the earlier housing list.

The government is now examining how these names entered the beneficiary database and whether officials were involved in approving or facilitating improper payments.

SIT and CID Probe May Be Used

The Chief Minister said the state was prepared to constitute a Special Investigation Team and involve the CID where necessary.

He said officials who allegedly helped ineligible applicants obtain financial assistance would also face scrutiny.

These allegations relate to actions under the previous government and remain subject to investigation.

Legal Action Threatened for Non-Refund

Adhikari warned that beneficiaries who fail to return the funds could face legal action.

Some reports say the government intends to begin filing FIRs from January against those who do not comply with the recovery process, while the more specific deadline announced at Friday’s briefing was November 30.

Government Links Action to Anti-Corruption Drive

The West Bengal housing scheme fake beneficiaries issue was presented by the government as part of a broader campaign against leakages and corruption in welfare programmes.

Adhikari said public money meant for genuinely poor rural families could not be allowed to remain with people who were not eligible for assistance.

Second Instalment Also Released to Eligible Beneficiaries

The warning came during an event connected with the release of the second instalment of housing assistance.

Around 7 lakh eligible beneficiaries received the next ₹60,000 instalment, with more than ₹4,200 crore transferred through the scheme.

Government Says Eligibility, Not Politics, Will Decide Benefits

Adhikari said the government would not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation, caste or community while distributing housing assistance.

He argued that beneficiaries who genuinely qualified under the rules would continue to receive support, while fraudulent or ineligible claims would be acted against.

That statement represents the Chief Minister’s position on the administration of the scheme.

Focus on Transparency in Housing Welfare

The government says the recovery drive is intended to improve transparency and accountability in rural housing.

Officials are now reviewing beneficiary lists, tracking improper payments and examining the role of those who allegedly enabled ineligible households to receive funds.